Tag: Willie Gay Jr.

New Orleans Saints set season-high in sacks vs. Commanders

In just the first half, Saints have recorded their most sacks in a game this season vs. the Commanders and rookie QB Jayden Daniels:

It’s only the first half, but the New Orleans Saints have already recorded five sacks. That’s more than New Orleans has recorded in an entire game this year. To make it more impressive, they are doing this against the elusive Jayden Daniels

Ugo Amadi,  Demario Davis, Willie Gay, Cameron Jordan, and Chase Young all recorded a sack in the first 30 minutes.

Containing Washington Commanders was a point of emphasis for the New Orleans Saints. Joe Woods told reporters this week that “We’re going to have different ways to control him and keep him in the pocket.”

There have been a few plays Daniels has used his legs to extend a play, but the Saints have done a better job than expected against him. You have to tip your hat to the secondary as well, because some of these sacks have been a product of Daniels having nowhere to go.

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Saints linebacker’s role changed significantly after coaching change

Willie Gay saw zero snaps on Sunday despite the Saints’ struggles stopping the Rams’ rushing attack. His role has clearly changed since Dennis Allen was fired:

Willie Gay didn’t see a single defensive snap against the Los Angeles Rams. The first explanation you’d think of is the New Orleans Saints played more defensive backs to stop Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. It sounds good until you look at how Week 13 actually transpired.

The truth is the Saints couldn’t stop running backs Kyren Williams and Blake Corum on the ground. The Saints’ poor run defense was their biggest struggle on Sunday, and Willie Gay still didn’t see the field. You’d think he’d join Demario Davis and Pete Werner at some point.

Joe Woods replacing Dennis Allen as the defensive play caller directly coincides with a drop in Gay’s snaps. In the past three games, Gay’s snaps have went from 13 to 6 to 0. That consistent fall suggests Woods doesn’t see Gay as valuable an asset as Allen did. At the same time, we aren’t seeing other linebackers get those snaps. Davis and Werner were the only Saints linebackers to get on the field against the Rams.

Sunday’s game was the most glaring example of Gay’s absence. It’s hard to point at this being an aberration or the product of game planning when the snaps have dropped consistently. At this point it appears Gay is being phased out of the defense.

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Saints starting linebacker expected to play through injury vs. Browns

Pete Werner is a gametime decision, but he is expected to play as the Saints aim to continue Nick Chubb’s slow return from injury:

The New Orleans Saints are expected to have their full compliment of linebackers against the Cleveland Browns. While Demario Davis and Willie Gay were healthy, Pete Werner was managing a hand injury that kept him out of practice on Wednesday and Thursday.

At Friday’s practice, Werner was able to get on the field in a limited capacity. That didn’t add any certainty to his status for Sunday, as Werner was listed as a game time decision. Per NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill, the expectation is Werner will play.

The Saints will need all of their linebackers to contribute versus the Browns. Nick Chubb has struggled to regain form since returning from injury, but you still remember the player he used to be and know he can snap back at any moment.

Cleveland will look to run the ball, so having Davis, Werner, and Gay all at your disposal will help neutralize that aspect of the offense.

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Saints designate two players to return from injury lists

Nephi Sewell and Shane Lemieux have 21 days to return to the New Orleans Saints’ active roster. What would be their role upon return?

The New Orleans Saints will be getting pieces back from injury that will add depth to the linebacker corps and offensive line very soon. New Orleans has opened the 21-day window for linebacker Nephi Sewell and offensive lineman Shane Lemieux.

Sewell’s immediate role will be on special teams upon his return from a torn ACL. Demario Davis, Willie Gay Jr., and Pete Werner will lead the charge at linebacker, but Sewell could compete with Anfernee Orji and D’Marco Jackson for reps in case of injury.

Lemieux is an interesting case. He replaced Erik McCoy in the starting lineup after McCoy’s injury versus the Eagles. Shortly after, Lemieux went to injured reserve with an ankle injury. Lemieux could return McCoy is available. If so, would the Saints turn back to Lemieux over Connor McGovern? McCoy’s availability will determine if New Orleans even has to answer that question.

These players have three weeks to be placed on the active roster, otherwise their season is over. That extends to the Saints bye week, so the latest we should see Sewell or Lemieux is Week 13 versus the Los Angeles Rams.

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Saints linebacker Willie Gay Jr. shares update after hand injury

New Orleans Saints linebacker Willie Gay Jr. exited Sunday’s game with a hand injury. On Monday, he shared a photo after apparently undergoing surgery:

New Orleans Saints linebacker Willie Gay Jr. exited Sunday’s loss to the Atlanta Falcons with what was announced as a hand injury. On Monday, Gay shared a photo on Instagram after apparently undergoing surgery, via Saints News Network’s John Hendrix, but we shouldn’t speculate too much. It could be a hand issue or maybe a wrist. Either way Gay was wearing a sling over his left arm.

It’s another tough blow to a Saints defense already dealing with multiple injuries. Demario Davis missed that Falcons game with a hamstring issue. Tyrann Mathieu left partway through with a groin problem, and he was already managing an injured heel. It’s a lot to deal with.

The good news is the Saints have an extra day of rest before their Monday night game with the Kansas City Chiefs next week. Depending on what he procedure he underwent, Gay could try wearing a club over his left hand and play through it, but there’s too little information for us to do more than  speculate. If Gay and Davis are both unavailable we should expect Pete Werner to continue starting while D’Marco Jackson and Anfernee Orji step into the lineup. Stay tuned for updates.

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Saints say Taysom Hill, Willie Gay Jr. won’t return vs. Falcons

The New Orleans Saints shared some unfortunate injury news as Willie Gay Jr. and Taysom Hill exited their game with the Atlanta Falcons:

The New Orleans Saints entered Week 4 with some rough injuries, and  a few situations only got worse in the first half against the Atlanta Falcons.

New Orleans entered the matchup without Demario Davis at linebacker for the first time in years. If this wasn’t a big enough blow to the linebacker corps, Willie Gay Jr. was ruled out during the game with a hand injury. This is the second time Gay has left early with an injury this season.

D’Marco Jackson then filled in for Gay, with Anfernee Orji playing as the team’s strongside linebacker.

Taysom Hill also exited the game with an abdomen injury. Hill returned to the lineup after missing the Saints game versus the Dallas Cowboys a week ago due to a chest injury, which was later reported to be a bruised lung.

Hill was the Saints’ best offensive weapon through the first half. He was responsible for New Orleans’ first two touchdowns. This production is typical of him against the Falcons, so his absence was definitely felt.

Beyond just the opponent, Hill adds dimensions to the offense that are sorely missed in his absence. He is the second best rushing threat for New Orleans and a key part of the Saints short-yardage offense.

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Saints’ big defensive ends will be key in stopping Bijan Robinson

Bijan Robinson is looking to run outside the tackles, so Carl Granderson and Chase Young will be key to the Saints stopping the Falcons’ leading rusher:

The defensive ends will be a critical part of helping the New Orleans Saints stop Atlanta Falcons’ running back Bijan Robinson. When you think about containing a running back, you typically think of linebackers. Their job got more difficult with Demario Davis ruled out, but they’ll need the help of Carl Granderson and Chase Young.

Robinson likes to gets around the corner, and he’s extremely productive when he does. The running back has 196 yards on the season, and 155 of them are from runs outside the tackle. If you expand that range to Robinson’s career, he’s racked up 950 yards outside the tackle. Only Christian McCaffrey has more yardage since Robinson came to the NFL.

Robinson is looking to stretch the defense, and the play-side tackles are going to attempt to hook the defensive ends inside.

Granderson and Young are athletic players. If they can shed their blockers, they should do a good job turning Robinson back inwards. That’s where Willie Gay and Pete Werner should be to finish the play.

Continuing to force Robinson horizontal is also effective. Granderson and Young’s ability to keep Robinson from getting outside and down hill is key. If they can consistently force him to the sidelines or back towards hell then they’ve done their job.

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Willie Gay Jr. has no doubts stepping into the starting lineup vs. Falcons

Willie Gay Jr. is stepping into the starting lineup due to Demario Davis’ injury with full confidence: ‘I don’t feel like it, I know I’m ready’

New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis is missing his first game ever due to injury — breaking a streak of 197 consecutive starts, dating back to 2012. Because of that, Willie Gay Jr. is expected to join Pete Werner in the starting lineup against the Atlanta Falcons.

It’ll be interesting to see how often the Saints bring second-year linebacker Anfernee Orji in for base sets with three linebackers on the field together. Orji was a stud in camp, and Atlanta’s run game with Bijan Robinson would normally command some base packages.

Gay and Werner will play likely every snap, and Gay is prepared for the moment: “I know I’m ready. I don’t feel like it, I know I’m ready.”

At the time Gay said that, Davis wasn’t confirmed to miss the game. It was clear it was expected by Gay’s response. It’s not as if he’s never been a starter before. He was a starter in Kansas City, so there should be full confidence coming from him.

Even with New Orleans, Gay has played in every game. He’ll just be stepping into a larger role. Davis’ injury thrusted Gay into the starting lineup, but Werner will likely be taking over for Davis at the middle linebacker spot. Gay would then step in at Werner’s normal position of weakside linebacker, with Orji possibly getting the first shot on the strongside.

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5 DNP’s listed on initial Saints-Cowboys injury report heading into Week 2

Tyrann Mathieu and Marshon Lattimore are listed as DNP’s, but Willie Gay Jr. and Foster Moreau return on Week 2’s initial Saints injury report:

For the second year in a row, the New Orleans Saints have nearly double the amount of players on the injury report as their opponents. This week it’s the Dallas Cowboys

The Saints had a couple of starters go out during the Week 1 romp of the Carolina Panthers. Willie Gay Jr. (undisclosed), Marshon Lattimore (hamstring), Foster Moreau (concussion) and Lucas Patrick (toe) all exited the game due to injury.

Of the three, only Gay and Moreau returned to practice on Wednesday. Gay wasn’t even on the injury report and Moreau was a limited participant. The Saints are likely to stay patient with Moreau because he left last week’s game with a concussion.

Tyrann Mathieu is another veteran who joined the injury report with a heel injury and didn’t participate. Other contributors Rashid Shaheed (finger) and Jamaal Williams (shoulder) were full participants despite being listed with an injury designation.

Tight end Dallin Holker (ankle) along with A.T. Perry (hand) and Jaylan Ford (hamstring) all returned to practice after not participating in any practice leading into Week 1.

Here’s the initial injury report from both teams for Wednesday Sept. 11:

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Browns sign linebacker Khaleke Hudson off the Saints’ practice squad

The Browns signed linebacker Khaleke Hudson off the New Orleans Saints’ practice squad. He was one of two call-ups for Week 1’s win over the Panthers:

The Cleveland Browns are signing one of the two New Orleans Saints practice squad players who were called up for Week 1’s game. Linebacker Khaleke Hudson is joining the Browns, as first reported by NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, having been with the Saints since April. New Orleans signed him as a free agent from the Washington Commanders. Hudson and the Browns will visit the Saints for a game at the Caesars Superdome on Nov. 17.

It’s a tough blow to the depth chart at linebacker, which could potentially be missing Willie Gay Jr. Gay was limited in practice with a back injury last week and exited the Week 1 matchup during the second quarter with an undisclosed ailment. Hudson totaled 19 snaps on special teams but logged just five on defense against the Carolina Panthers. Demario Davis, Pete Werner, D’Marco Jackson, Jaylan Ford, and Anfernee Orji remain on the 53-man roster.

If the Saints want another linebacker to fill out the practice squad in his place, they could bring back someone like Mike Rose or Andrew Dowell, both of whom were waived at roster cuts in August. But Monty Rice isn’t an option. He spent the back half of the 2023 season on the Saints’ practice squad but was signed by the Atlanta Falcons after New Orleans let him go last month.

On the other hand, the Saints could look to reinforce another position group. Orji played really well as a backup for Gay and made more plays than Hudson on special teams. They still have Isaiah Stalbird on the practice squad, with Nephi Sewell working his way back on the PUP list.

This could be an opportunity to re-sign cornerback Shemar Jean-Charles, who initially had an agreement with the Saints that fell apart as they built their practice squad two weeks ago. That reunion would make sense given Marshon Lattimore’s injury and the lack of any other cornerbacks on their practice squad.

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